Pauline Louise Duke

Born Pauline Louise Motsch on May 30,1928 to Charles P. Motsch and Edith Pauline Pollock – Motsch, she was the baby of 4 children and their only daughter. Polly was a 6th generation Texan and enjoyed tracing her family roots back to Texas’ first settlers. Her hometown, Port Arthur, TX along the Gulf Coast, instilled in her the fascination that comes with a bustling port city: Faraway lands, exotic escapades and the thrill of adventure. Early exposure to these things set in her heart a love for travel, reading, music, art and conversation. A childhood move to Eagle, Pass, TX shifted her perspective further. The duality of languages and cultures along the Texas-Mexico border fostered a deep love for both heritages within her. Polly met and married Jack Leland Duke, Jr and together they had 5 children, 2 boys and 3 girls. In the 1970’s they moved to The Netherlands and settled in The Hague where they lived for 4 years. Although it was a big move, the opportunity to experience European culture firsthand was undeniable. Between the kaleidoscopic field of blossoming tulips, serene scenes painstakingly painted in Delft Blue and the warmth of the Dutch culture, who wouldn’t fall in love? Polly was a Texan through and through and her heart always belonged to the Lone Star State, but her deep appreciation for the Netherlands was evident in the conversations she had and on display in her beautiful blue and white home décor.

Polly was a talented/published writer of factual stories that required lengthy research, giving her an in-depth historic view of Texas culture, which she enjoyed sharing with anyone who would listen. She traveled often, especially to West Texas for a reprieve from the hot summer days of Houston and San Antonio. She also took regular trips to Galveston, where her Mother had attended school at Ursuline Academy. She enjoyed Bridge trips to La Grange with her girlfriends up to the very end of her life. She always loved to shop and often described herself as a “consumerist”. Her favorite spots were always HEB, El Mercado and La Cantera in San Antonio and any Antique Mall anywhere. Besides her fascination with products, she enjoyed engaging other shoppers in conversation – something that rarely happens anymore. Thankfully, Polly was full of life, active and social throughout her many years. No matter where she lived, a ragged copy of Mother Teresa’s “The Final Analysis/Do it Anyway” was posted. It gives us comfort to know she carried out the spirit of that sweet message.

Listening to Polly or reading her chronicles could sweep one away in an instant. While her story here with us is finished, she lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the memorable stories she has passed down. Polly is survived by 4 of her 5 children: Jill Hendricks (Randy), Charles Duke (Ann), Janene Schwerin (Matthew) and Jennifer Dodd, along with her daughter-in-law, Cheryl Duke. She was preceded in death by

her beloved son, Jack Leland Duke III, who has surely welcomed her with open arms into the afterlife.

Polly will be laid to rest alongside the grave of her Parents in Houston, Texas.